The Milky Way
Sometimes on a dark summer night I find myself out in the country. It is peaceful and quiet and a time for reflecting on all the beautiful things in our lives.
Sometimes they are close, like friends. And sometimes they are far, far away, like the sky above.
As I look up, I see a large band of light in the night sky. It is formed by stars – billions and billions of them. They look so close together they are called “The Milky Way.”
It is a galaxy that is home to our solar system and it is no static thing. Oh, no. Far from it, for this galaxy and its billions and billions of stars is moving fast at a speed of 343 miles per second! Now, that is fast.
What exactly is in the Milky Way? For certain our planet Earth is in its midst. But, scientists estimate that there are many other planets, perhaps as many as 100 Billion of them. Each with their own sun, just like our Sun. Amazing, isn’t it?
So, how old is the Milky Way? Those who study all those stars say the Milky Way is about 13 and a half billion years old. Wow! I’m going to think about that on my next birthday!
Look up, dear readers. Enjoy the stars of the Milky Way. And, realize how young you are!